last day of May- jackpot!

Saturday, last day of May.. gorgeous sunshine but a gentle breeze to start. Seems Baby did not like the food restraints of her new paddock nor the new shelter enough tot stay within the boundaries. Good thing I planned on paddock changes for today, seems she will move to a more secure residence!

Britt was home from the morning ball game around 1030, time to pack horse snacks, people snacks and beverages, move horses around and load the 3 to head to jackpot. We had all this done and on the road 3 minutes before our noon schedule! This had us at the field early which was nice but many others were late so it was quite  long day. Thru sun and clouds and one wee sprinkle there was lots of play with lots of new people.

Shaina was picked up by Aaron and Lexi to embark on her birthday celebration however she felt sick after a long day in the sun and it only got worse. She spent the night sick and had to cancel all her supper and clubbing plans the poor girl. Kaylin and Aaron still went out leaving her with Lexi as her nursemaid. Britt and I stayed for potluck snacks and social time and were back at the ranch by 7. She brushed Julio's last patches of winter hair while I trimmed his funky foot quick and put him out with the girls in the new paddock closest to the house where we can give the 2 older ones and bean pole Bird some extra food.

 weather had a wee squall blow thru during unload time

thru the week I have been trying my new essential oils, I purchased the top 10 pack and have to say that so far the ones I have tried I do NOT like, may have to stick with my lemon, lavender, The Body Shop Kokonolo (which Shaina instantly remembered from her childhood!)

 gorgeous evening at the ranch

note this 30 year old boy is not bothered by the hot wire... what a guy

 BFF in different pens but eat together still

Britt fell asleep on the couch soon after out tuna sandwich supper and was out for the night!

winding up May!

Tuesday morning Sheldon was up early and headed north. Another beauty day I was awake early and up by 7! I started on the blog which eats up lots of my time but enjoyed a few coffees/creamer from the old pot while I did. By 10 I was outside whacking off dead branches and haling to the pit. In preparation for tomorrows well prayed for rain I wanted to mow again but found the mower battery near dead. The most useful tool, the cordless battery charger, to the rescue and I was one my way. A new horse shelter was dropped off for the new paddock too.

Shaina was up once I was back in the house for lunch. She was off to work for 3 while Britt works after school. I got busy organizing stuff in the garage for my upcoming painting class while watering the garden too.

Wednesday, the rain did arrive but starting out early it was just a drizzle. Shaina was sweet and brought me toast and an egg in bed, Britt made coffee but never brought me any :-( The rain did pick up a little which was very nice. I spent almost 2 hours on the phone with Bell who never can have a simple accounting system. Eventually I got it sorted and headed to town. Drop off sold items, pick up some free items & dog food, grab another surprise order box, hit the bank, shop at Walmart and grab a tea at Starbucks, Have you tried the Oprah chai latte?? I Recommend!!

 enjoying the new umbrella

 dropped off for Coreena

frames and stencils from my kind elderly friend

2 packages, see the pretty knobs I won for winning a facebook voting contest (I'm D)

and below my tea goodies!

Shaina was home from her work day but soon packed up to head to the city to spend the night with Kaylin and plead her red light ticket in court tomorrow. Britt was a slug after school doing not much but did write her polox essay finally. The rain had let up so I checked... 3/10ths, better than nothing!

Thursday started out dreary, windy and eventually rained bringing another 2/10ths in. Of course town had much more but I am happy, things are sure green. I had a gal stop to buy a chalkboard and drop off a project by 8:30. The project turned out to be more work than I thought once the sun came out in the afternoon and I headed out to start sanding. It seems to be a melamine paint with a red wood that bleeds under it ;-( Shaina text her ticket was reduced $110 just for showing up, well worth the time and effort for sure. She spent the rest of the day in the city taking in shopping and a movie.

original, sanded and washed

While it rained in the day I did my dreaded year end and GST for my incorporation. It is not hard it is just remembering how to use the SIMPLY yet not so simple accounting program :-) But I got it done! I also cleaned the pantry and while doing that made the Prince his home cooked granola which helped clean out even more bags. After I hooked up the new hose and hosed down the new project and allowed to dry, it looked a bit threatening again so moved it inside to finish drying. Sure enough the sun was still shining when a brief downpour arrived around 8. Britt worked after school but was kind enough to bring me a Momma burger after her shift around 9. THANKS Britt!

Friday was a sunny lovely day, I got busy moving stuff to the storage shed and cleaning and sweeping the garage, it looked awesome!!

I have been repairing this dresser corner over last few days, I forgot to take a picture of the 10 clamps gluing the veneer but here is the sanded wood filler, wala.. ready to paint

I was then off to town, originally I was going to watch Asher & Ada while AJ did a neighbors hair but Craig stayed home. This allowed AJ to get a pedicure from miss Britt.. at first class of the day! I picked up some items I won online, did banking and dropped of company taxes, scored a few items at the take it or leave it! I left 2 and took 5! and got a new fly trap I hope works.

my scores today.. drawer pulls for free as well, and look how well the new storage tub works with my 2 I had, and such a cute little wood shoe shine kit

Britt was home after school, got ready for first ball game of the tournament weekend and was off. She is going to stay at Kyra's tonight and make the 9 am in the morning then come home to go to polocrosse practice. Great night for ball for sure. Sheldon sent this photo of a blond mamma bear with 1 black cub and 1 blond cub up near the plant, how cool is that?

While walking the dogs to replace a reflector I glued, in the evening splendor I found that after 1/2" of rain and a day of sun the mosquitos are ravenous! and that Diego not only loves banana but the banana peel as well! And on the way back I met all 3 cats trying to follow us on our walk.. what a funny farm we have!

more trees go in

The plan was to get busy with moving more trees in the am, eventually we got there after coffee and moved caragana trees along the west fence line. It was another gorgeous day so even this early it was hot.

We were back at the house at 11 where Sheldon changed and grabbed golf gear to go out with Craig. I tried my hand with the new tree shovel and quickly had my 4 lilac trees dug and planted! This new toy is quite handy.

I watered them up before Shaina and I went for a ride on the chubby white ponies in the sunshine before she headed off to work. Sheldon was home late afternoon, Sharon stopped for bales and pickup her auction purchase, the lady from last 2 nights stopped for her last load of bales and after we enjoyed a delicious steak supper. Britt arrived home from work after school just in time to join us.

Saturday I tried the new Breville coffee maker but was shocked how strong it was on mild plus 1 setting :-(. yard work and prep for grass while I ran to Costco to get more plants and a grass seeder. I was back at 230 in time to un load groceries and load up and head to town to check shrub warranty, pick up the rental packer and grab a tea before heading back to the ranch.

 my tulips started to bloom.. only 17/90 even came up.. darn it!

Yard prep with grooming and mowing was rest of day.

Sunday I tried a mild setting and it too was crazy Starbucks strong.. looks like this is NOT the coffee maker for us :-(. Sheldon was all about grass seed planting.. seed, harrow, then pack while I planted shrubs and flower pots. Sadly I found most of the peonies did not survive along with no spirea or arctic willows, not sure if any hostas survived. Totally frustrated I have vowed to only plant things I know live out here in the middle of the Bermuda triangle.

 seed

 harrow

and pack, then after supper we went out and dug in another tree area, getting some good use out of hte new toy for sure

Monday Sheldon ran the packer back to town and did some errands bringing home a tea at lunch. I washed up and hung out a saddle pad and distressed the grey buffet. Shaina was off for double work shift Monday! The hay was fertilized then he and I put up the purple martingale bird house.

 before above and after below.. dug in with the tree shovel too

I planted more seeds in the garden and staged the buffet after few more changes.

Britt had a quick ride on Bird after school and a couple gals stopped before supper for bales just as a wind storm hit!! We are at the mercy of Mother Nature and she seems to not want grass here!

Soon the sun was back out, another gal stopped for bales  followed by a fellow who I gave more free trees to. Sheldon showered and spent the night watching hockey finals while Britt studied for a test and I putzed around with laundry.